Rakuten moves ahead with satellite-to-phone tests - Mobile World Live

Rakuten Mobile secured preliminary support from authorities successful Japan to proceedings a direct-to-mobile communications work utilizing AST SpaceMobile’s debased Earth orbit (LEO) test outer BlueWalker 3, advancing the operator’s plans to connection mobile broadband services.

In a statement, Rakuten Mobile explained the preliminary experimental licences volition let it to trial a satellite-to-phone work opening successful the adjacent respective months.

It volition hole a gateway Earth presumption successful Fukushima prefecture to trial and verify nonstop connection betwixt BlueWalker 3 and mobile devices successful mountainous areas successful Hokkaido.

Rakuten Mobile plans to connection mobile broadband connectivity via modular devices from a space-based web to bring entree to mountainous areas and distant islands, it stated.

Earlier this week, AST SpaceMobile claimed to person deployed the largest commercialized communications array successful LEO connected BlueWalker 3.

Rakuten Mobile’s genitor on with Vodafone Group are investors successful AST SpaceMobile, which faces growing competition successful the LEO connectivity market.

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